Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Lech Lecha
Where exactly was the altar upon which Avraham put Yitzchak? The place would become known to us only at the time of David, as the place where the Beit Hamikdash would stand. The connection between the location of the Beit Hamikdash and Avraham’s Mt. Moriah is reported only in the context of Shlomo’s construction efforts (Divrei Hayamim II, 3:1). Looking back, Avraham had indeed seen that this would be a mountain dedicated to interaction with Hashem (Bereishit 22:14).
The first Lech lecha was Avraham’s first test, and the second one was his tenth and last test. This process shows the trajectory of his life work, which we will express as follows. The goal of Avraham’s going to Eretz Yisrael was to reach the "top of the mountain" (Moriah) where he would be challenged by the greatest test so that his descendants would be able to see and be seen by Hashem in that place where Hashem’s presence dwells. His descendants would form a special nation, qualitatively closest to Hashem (see Shemot 33:16).
We will now see several similarities between the depiction of Akeidat Yitzchak and the choosing of that same spot to build the Beit Hamikdash. 1) In both events, the "hero" (Avraham and David) builds an altar and offers a burnt offering (see Bereishit 22: 9, 13; Divrei Hayamim I, 21:26). 2) Hashem decides where the altar is to be built. 3) An angel from the Heavens communicates with the leader (Bereishit 22:11; Divrei Hayamim I, 21:16). 4) It is stressed that both of them acted in the morning (Bereishit 22:3; Shmuel II, 24:11). 5) Both events are connected to a day #3 (Bereishit 22:4; Divrei Hayamim I, 21:12).
All of the connections point to the following lesson. In the times of David, a process was culminated that had begun in the period of the forefathers, when Avraham entered the Land and paved the way, through "the actions of the forefathers are a sign for the offspring." This path brought us the Nation of Israel and its establishment in Eretz Yisrael.
Avraham lived in the Land (Bereishit 23:4), and prepared the turf for the fulfilling of the beracha he received – "I shall make you a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing" (ibid. 12:2-3). The goal is that Am Yisrael will establish an independent state in Eretz Yisrael that will be a light for the nations of the world. This state shall have an army to protect its independence, and significant parts of its citizens will be like Avraham’s disciples – those who learn Torah and also fight with valor – as well as like the students of David, who were gentle in the study halls and as hard as a tree on the battlefield (see Moed Katan 16b about Adino Ha’etzni). Such students will merit to build the Beit Hamikdash, in which the prayers of Israel will be heard (see Melachim I, 8:32).
Parashat Hashavua: “Kings Will Descend from You”
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Kislev 5786
Parashat Hashavua: “See” and “Be Seen”
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Cheshvan 5786
Hearing the Sounds
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | 3 Menachem Av 5784
